{
  "abstract": "Purpose The KoMAC (Korean Medicine for Aging Cohort) study investigates health characteristics related to ageing from both conventional and Korean medicine (KM) perspectives through a prospective, multicentre cohort study that also serves as a platform for future embedded intervention studies.Participants This study aimed to recruit 1000 adults aged 50–65 years from both urban (Iksan and surrounding areas, Jeonbuk Province) and rural (Jangheung and surrounding areas, Jeonnam Province) regions in Korea. Recruitment began in August 2023. The inclusion criteria were residence in the target region, literacy and written consent.Findings to date Initial data showed regional differences in health behaviours and conditions; rural participants showed higher rates of alcohol consumption, smoking and childbirth experience among women, while urban participants showed lower pulmonary function and less favourable hearing thresholds. Ageing was associated with a general decline in physical and psychosocial function, particularly in women. KM-based phenotypic analysis revealed an age-related increase in kidney deficiency patterns and blood stasis, particularly in women. Emotional assessments indicated a decline in joy with age. Laboratory findings showed age-related increases in blood urea nitrogen levels in women, consistent with changes observed in KM-based phenotypes.Future plans The KoMAC study will continue with annual follow-ups, and blood samples will be collected again at the final follow-up visit to identify ageing-related risk factors. Embedded randomised controlled trials will evaluate the effects of KM-based interventions on health outcomes.Trial registration number Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0008863).",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Mi Mi Ko"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "KM Research Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Young-Eun Kim"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Wonbae Ha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Korea Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jangheung, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Seojae Jeon"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Korea Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jangheung, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Myunghwa Kim"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Clinical Research Coordinating Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "So Young Jung"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Kwang-Ho Choi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Geonhui Kang"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Seungkwan Choi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Jungho Jo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Korea Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jangheung, South Korea",
        "Jeonbuk Advanced Bio-Convergence Academy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Junghan Lee"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea"
      ],
      "name": "Jeeyoun Jung"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Korean Medicine for Aging Cohort (KoMAC) study—a prospective multicentre cohort in urban and rural Korea: cohort profile",
  "uid": "6a2591e9-780c-5b86-aeeb-cdd639340de0"
}